The Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) has officially implemented its Sterile (No-Sign) Areas policy on October 1, 2026, marking a major step forward in prioritizing road and pedestrian safety across the municipality.

Designated under the Town and Country Planning(Control of Advertisements) Regulations, 1978, Sterile Areas are specified high-traffic locations where all permanent and temporary outdoor advertising including signs and billboards, is strictly prohibited. Effective immediately, the KSAMC will issue no approvals or permits for outdoor advertising at the following key intersections:

• Matilda’s Corner: Old Hope Road, Hope Road,     and Barbican Road
• Old Hope Road: Mountain View Avenue and     Seaview Avenue
• Shortwood Road & Upper     Waterloo Road
• West King’s House Road &     Constant Spring Road

The KSAMC emphasizes that this initiative is fundamentally a public safety measure rather than a visual cleanup. Overcrowded signage at busy intersections severely restricts sightlines for drivers and creates major hazards for pedestrians. Crucially, sidewalk clutter forces pedestrians-particularly persons with disabilities and wheelchair users into active traffic lanes.

His Worship the Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew A. Swaby, JP explained that the policy directly addresses concerns raised by advocacy groups during consultations with the municipality.

"The municipality engaged in meaningful dialogue with the Centre for Disability Studies, whose members highlighted the daily risks they face navigating obstructed sidewalks. This is not about how our city looks; it is about how safely our citizens move through it. Every sign removed means a clearer sightline for a driver, a safer sidewalk for a pedestrian, and an accessible pathway for a wheelchair user. We are enforcing the law to save lives and promote a clean, safe and thriving municipality,’ mayor Swaby stated.

Alongside the new designations, the KSAMC is stepping up enforcement of the Three-Day Rule. Under this regulation, all party, promotional, and event signage must be completely removed within three days following the conclusion of an event. This rule applies uniformly across the municipality to event promoters, commercial businesses, advertisers, and political representatives.

Promoters and advertising firms operating near the newly designated Sterile Areas were notified prior to the October 1 implementation date and provided with relocation protocols. Any proposed alternative site for an existing sign must be formally submitted to the KSAMC for review and approval prior to installation.

The Sterile Areas initiative is a core component of the KSAMC’s broader Cleaner Kingston campaign, which aims to build a safer, more orderly, and accessible capital. While municipal officers will actively monitor and enforce compliance, lasting success depends on public cooperation. Residents, businesses, and event organizers are urged to support these safety measures.

Members of the public who spot illegal or unremoved signage in designated Sterile (No-Signs) Areas are encouraged to report violations directly through the KSAMC’s official contact channels, including our designated email address at complianceunit@ksamc.gov.jm.

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